A Shoveling-related Pain Intensity Prediction Expert System for Workers’ Manual Movement of Material

In this study, a fuzzy-based expert system called the Pain Intensity Prediction Expert System (PIPES) was developed to predict pain severity risk (PSR) in shoveling-related tasks. The primary objective was to develop a non-changing rating risk assessment ergonomics tool that both efficient and comparable with those obtained from human ergonomics experts in the field of application. PIPES used fuzzy set theory (FST) to make decisions about the level of pain associated with a selected worker base on the measured task variables, namely scooping rate, scooping time, shovel load, and throw distance as input and PSR as the result. Values obtained from variable measurements from a sand shoveling task were run with PIPES, and the results were compared with the workers’ self-reported pain (WSRP) intensity using a numeric rating scale (NRS) tool. The result of validation showed that there was a strong positive relationship between WSRP NRS and PIPES NRS, with a correlation coefficient of 0.70. The independent sample t-test for mean difference showed that WSRP had a statistically significantly lower level of NRS (4.35 ± 2.1) compared to PIPES (4.75 ± 2.2), t (38) = - 0.591, p = 0.558. With a significance level of 0.001 at 95% confidence, the groups’ means were not significantly different. The study developed an expert system, PIPES, which can be used as a computerized representation of ergonomics experts, who are scarce. PIPES can be applied to construction industries, sand mine locations, and any workplace where materials are manually moved using a shovel

Design of Fuzzy Logic Based Relay for Distance Protection

The safe generation and distribution of power is the most desirable factor targeted by utility companies.  Therefore, there is a serious concern for protection of the transmission line as well as the equipment involved.  Several works have been carried out on protection to protect mostly human lives while some aimed at the use of microcontrollers to optimize the performance of a relay.  Part of the conventional relay operation works was the work by IEEE Working Group I17 Incorrect Operation Reporting in which for 20 total events, for voltage above 400V, unnecessary trips during fault is 30%, unnecessary trip other than fault is 5%, and total misoperation is 35%.  These results could be improved upon.  As new technology surfaces more application areas also evolve such as the use of artificial intelligence tool like fuzzy logic to enhance the performance of a relay which is the key element in the switching operation of a power network.  This fuzzy logic based relay shows considerable improvement on false trip phenomenon usually associated with the operations of a relay in which a total of 25 events were used to form the rule base for voltage ranging from 480V to 15kV, unnecessary trip fault is 2%, and total misoperation is less than 10%. In this work, the protection scheme proposed is for transmission line's distance protections relay whose operation is adaptive and directly controlled using fuzzy logic controller which is fault tolerant, directional, and least affected by power swing

Casting and Performance Evaluation of Pump Impeller and Housing using Local Raw Materials

Casting of pump impeller and its housing was carried out using locally available materials. Performance evaluation was conducted to show if the locally produced pump impeller and its housing could be compared favourably in terms of performances with the imported ones. The sand used for the moulding of the pump housing and impeller was blended in the sand mixer with bentonite, wood dust, water and others as desired in their correct proportions (Bentonite-3.5%, Water 3.5%; Wood dust 4.2%). Pouring of the molten metal unto the assembled mould was done at a temperature of about 1380oC.  Portable optical pyrometer was used to measure the temperatures.  The charge make ups was 135kg of cast iron scraps, 0.58% FeSi, 0.035% Femn and 0.0045% Inoculants.   Replica of the two components were carefully produced in wooden patterns to make the sand mould easy, while the casting was made using grey cast iron because of the need to machine it to its final dimensions with ease. The results obtained from the various test carried out shows no significant difference from the standard result of the imported ones

Design, simulation and implementation of a PID vector control for EHVPMSM for an automobile with hybrid technology

This work proposes a Model design simulation and implementation of a novel engine of an Electric Hybrid Vehicle of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (EHVPMSM) based on field oriented vector control. The experimental analysis was carried out using: automotive motor control MTRCKTSPS5604P, 3-Phase PMSM coded of a single Motor Control Kit with MPC5604P MCU and simulation with Simulink. Therefore, the direct torque control can be obtained by adjusting the magnitude and phase angle of the stator flux linkage to match the vector torque required by the load as fast as possible. This eradicates the stress of charging the vehicle battery. It automatically charges when it is connected to the main supply of the EHVPMSM. The electromagnetic torque can be increased from 0 Nm to 6.7 Nm in approximately 340 μs. The response of speed transient was from −2100 rpm to +2100 rpm in 100 ms of 6.7 Nm torque limit. This is a novel way of conserving the energy consumption in a vehicle, which conserves space and weight and minimizes cost as it is simply done with low-cost materials. In this research, a new mathematical model is proposed for the direct and quadrature axis of the current to control the speed mechanism for the engine. Computer simulation ensures experimental validation of the system with a percentage error of 4.5%. The methodology employed to control the system was with the use of various sensors and software controller, this can be easily implemented in industry and institutional laboratory of learning. Keywords: Permanent magnet machines, PID, EHVPMSM, Vector control, Hybrid vehicl